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Compare CFLs and Incandescent Light Bulbs using Smart Meters

With the European Commission banning 100-watt incandescent filament bulbs, the phase out over the next three years should see an uptake in more energy efficient light bulbs which will help reduce the carbon footprint of the EU.

Some consumers have been panic buying the standard incandescent bulbs in the fear that new technologies will not be compatible or comparable to the 100-watt bulbs that became the mainstay of lighting for so long. The truth is that energy efficient light bulbs are the way forward, and are not only compatible with virtually every light fitting now, but are far superior bulbs overall.

One of the best ways to monitor the superiority of the new Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) is with smart meters. For those not in the know, smart meters are new innovations that allow customers to effectively monitor their energy consumption in real time. Smart meters replace your normal analogue gas and electricity meters with a digital gauge that can tell you exactly how much electricity you are using at any given time of the day.

Using smart meters you will be able to see just how much of a difference CFLs can make to your energy consumption. CFLs produce much more light than an incandescent bulb for the same amount of power. Light bulbs are graded by watts which can lead to confusion as wattage is a measurement of power used over time. A 100-watt light bulb, for example, does not tell you how bright the light will be but only how much power will be used to light the bulb.

Light output is properly measured in 'lumen' or 'candlepower' which means a CFL can produce the same lumen for less wattage. A 100-watt incandescent light bulb can easily be replaced with a 20-watt CFL with no adverse effects to the lighting in the room. Similarly a 60-watt incandescent is roughly equivalent in candlepower to a 15-watt CFL.

If you monitor your electricity consumption using  smart meters, you'll quickly see the difference in measurements by replacing all of your incandescent bulbs. This will also ease the burden on your pocket as CFLs are calculated to save up to £6 per bulb.